Sir Benford Wales opened his account when making all under this season’s leading jumps rider Rachael Blackmore in the Hurley Family Maiden Hurdle at Kilbeggan.

Blackmore was seen to good effect on the son of Beneficial who made all and overcame a mistake at the last to score at odds of 7/2.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding readily held the 1/3 favourite Shush by four lengths, with Papal Motel a further four and a quarter lengths back in third.

De Bromhead said, “It was a super ride from Rachael. Johnny (Flanagan, owner) used to have Moscow Mannon with us and we got this guy to replace him. He’s a lovely horse, and I’m looking forward to going over a fence with him in time.

“He’s had a couple of little niggly things that have held him up and we decided to give him the time. He was a big backward horse, so I think he’ll keep improving.

“I think he could race on for the winter to a degree. I don’t know if he’d go on real winter ground but we’ll see.”

Flanagan's association with de Bromhead over the years has certainly been a fruitful one as all four horses he’s had with the Waterford trainer have now won.